Why? Would that be determining factor on what kite you bought? You will be spending way more time on top of the water than in it - so if this is the determining factor of your purchase I'd be reconsidering. Apparently they do fly differently, and have different characterisitcs (although a lot of similarities as well).

I know the guys for AKS have regularly flown both, one in particular who normally fly's fuses but have had a couple of sessions on a rebel just recently - give them a hoy.

Have had 4 lines cores, now the rebel, so I'm to new in to answer your particular question, but robbie (puertz - or something like that) from NT has both - he could answer this. Search his name or look for one i had running a little while ago 'self launching and landing rebel kites' - or something like that, he has heaps of threads on that. He doesn't answer your particular questions though.

I bought the rebels becuase of their superior flight (for my style anyhow), fifth line wasn't even a factor - I will work it out. All I know is, my bro stuffed up the launch for me and it was doing twirly whirlies down the beach, heading for poles and branches and shyte, and by activating the fifth it killed the kite completly and caused no damage. The four line, would have still been powered, sitting there, but powered nevertheless - would have definelty ripped the kite.

gruezi said...

Just fine.

What, which one works better/easier and why?

Thanks for the replies. I'm doing 50/50 wave and freestyle and my mates suggested I don't want a fifth line if I'm doing alot of freestyle cause they
Can invert and bow tie so I was just curious whether this occurs much or not with the fifth line. Obviously it will be crashing a bit learning tricks but not so much in the surf

My rebel hasn't inverted or bow-tied once, infact i've never had a problem with the rebel.
Had a go on the 2012 rebel today aswell :D

eppo said...

All I know is, my bro stuffed up the launch for me and it was doing twirly whirlies down the beach, heading for poles and branches and shyte, and by activating the fifth it killed the kite completly and caused no damage. The four line, would have still been powered, sitting there, but powered nevertheless - would have definelty ripped the kite.

On a 4 line kite if you reach above the bar and pull very hard on the centre lines this MAY resolve the kite looping issues, as you are taking the tension out of the steering lines and the kite should depower and nose down on the beach. It is sort of like pulling the safety.

In any situation 5 lines are safer, and while there is technique to master 5th line relaunch, it can be easier to relaunch in lighter winds as you use it to roll the kite up onto its leading edge.

If there is any reasonable wind, it should not otherwise be any real difference to a 4 line kite.

No not the best conditions lately, need to wait for a steady freo doctor.

We have a rider here who can invert anything but hasn't inverted the 2011 rebel yet so I would say they are difficult to invert but as for bowtieing 4 line kites I would prefer to take my chances with a 4 line than a 5 line